JP4284896B2 - File management program, computer-readable recording medium storing file management program, and file management method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a file management program, a computer-readable recording medium on which the file management program is recorded, and a file management method, and in particular, a plurality of files can be combined into one file, and the history and variations of the file are managed. The present invention relates to a file management program, a computer-readable recording medium recording the file management program, and a file management method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a personal computer (PC) has been equipped with a graphical user interface (hereinafter referred to as “GUI”) in order to improve the convenience of operation. The GUI displays thumbnails of images when data such as image files and document files are opened, and the user can easily know what the files are. In addition, a plurality of files with different created applications, such as image files and document files, are associated with each other and displayed as thumbnails (this process is referred to as “virtual combination”) as thumbnails. Yes. In this case, in the thumbnail, a plurality of files are displayed in order by turning the page.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Usually, when creating a document with a computer, a plurality of documents are updated and stored a plurality of times, and the completed documents are combined into one. Since a plurality of versions are generated for each file before the document is finally completed in this way, it is necessary to manage the history. Further, when sending the same invoice to a plurality of companies, a plurality of (variable) documents in which only the destination is changed may be prepared for the same document.
[0004]
However, although the conventional virtual combination has a function of collecting a plurality of document files, there is no function for managing the history of each document file or for managing variations. That is, for example, when a document is updated, the file name is the same before and after the update, and therefore, overwriting is performed and the old document is deleted. For this reason, it is necessary for the user to manage the history and the variation separately, which is troublesome for the user.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a file management program that can easily manage files, a computer-readable recording medium that records the file management program, and a file management method The purpose is to do.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a file management program includes a first combining step of combining the plurality of files into one file based on information indicating the relationship between the plurality of files. A second combining step for combining at least one file constituting the combined file with other files related to the file, a file combined by the first combining step, and a second combining step. And causing the computer to execute the step of combining and managing the combined files.
[0007]
Preferably, the second combination is performed based on a file history.
Preferably, the second combination is performed based on file variations.
[0008]
Preferably, when the file management program deletes a part of the combined file, the file management program further includes a step of deleting the combined file related to the file.
[0009]
Preferably, the file management program receives an instruction to select one file from the combined files from the user, and the file is included in the files combined in the first combining step. And further correcting the combination.
[0010]
According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable recording medium records any one of the file management programs described above.
[0011]
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the file management method is combined with a first combining step of combining the plurality of files into one file based on information indicating the relationship between the plurality of files. A second combining step for combining at least one file constituting the file and a file related to the file; a file combined by the first combining step; and a file combined by the second combining step And managing them.
[0012]
According to these inventions, a plurality of files are combined into one file based on information indicating the relationship between each of the plurality of files. At least one file constituting the combined file and another file related to the file are combined. Further, these combined files are managed by being combined. As a result, the user can easily manage the file.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding members, and description thereof will not be repeated.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network composed of a personal computer and a printer on which a file management program is mounted according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0015]
Referring to FIG. 1, personal computers 100a and 100b loaded with a file management program and a plurality of printers 200a to 200c are connected to the network.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the personal computer 100a or 100b of FIG. This personal computer functions as a file management apparatus by installing a file management program.
[0017]
Referring to the figure, personal computer 100 outputs a control unit 101 for controlling the entire apparatus, an input unit 105 for inputting data, a storage unit 103 for storing data, and data. Output unit 107, an external storage device 109 for storing a program to be executed by the control unit 101, and a LAN (local area network) card 113 for connecting to a network.
[0018]
The control unit 101 stores a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM) for storing a program to be executed by the CPU, and variables necessary for executing the program by the CPU. Random access memory (RAM).
[0019]
The input unit 105 is a keyboard or a mouse, and can input characters or numbers or a predetermined instruction command.
[0020]
The storage unit 103 stores data such as documents or images. These data include, for example, a data file created by an application program of a word processor, a data file created by an application of a spreadsheet software, a data file for storing an image read by a digital camera or an image scanner, or It is a data file created by various other application programs.
[0021]
The storage unit 103 has a plurality of folders, and can classify the folders and store the data files. For example, a data file created by a word processor may be stored in a certain folder A, and a data file created by a spreadsheet application software may be stored in the folder B. Furthermore, a folder may be created for each case, or a folder may be created by dividing it by a predetermined period based on the date on which the data file was created. These folders are created by a known application program.
[0022]
The output unit 107 is a display, and displays data files as thumbnails according to instructions from the control unit 101. Thereby, a plurality of data files can be displayed simultaneously.
[0023]
The external storage device 109 reads a program or data recorded on a computer-readable recording medium 111 and transmits it to the control unit 101. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 101, necessary data is written in the computer-readable recording medium 111.
[0024]
The computer-readable recording medium 111 includes a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a disk system such as a magnetic disk (flexible disk, hard disk device, etc.) and an optical disk (CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD, etc.), and an IC. Examples include a card system such as a card (including a memory card) or an optical card, or a medium that carries a fixed program such as a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM, EPROM, or flash memory. Further, the recording medium 111 may be a medium that carries the program in a fluid manner so that the program is downloaded from the network.
[0025]
The control unit 101 can execute the read program by reading the file management program recorded on the recording medium 111 with the external storage device 109.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a file structure of the personal computer. Referring to FIG. 3, the control unit 101 executes a file management program 101a and a printer driver 101b. Assume that the storage unit 103 includes four folders 201, 211, 221, and 231. Folders 201, 211, 211, and 231 classify a plurality of data files. Here, a case where the folder 231 is a folder that is not managed by the file management program and the folders 201, 211, and 221 are folders managed by the file management program will be described.
[0027]
3, the folder 201 stores data files 205, 207, 209,..., The folder 211 stores data files 215, 217, 219,..., And the folder 221 stores data. .. Are stored, and the folder 231 stores data files 235, 237, 239,.
[0028]
In addition to data files, management information files 203, 213, and 223 and print management tables 204, 214, and 224 are stored in the management target folders 201, 211, and 221, respectively. On the other hand, only the data files 235, 237, 239,... Are stored in the unmanaged folder 231 and the management information file and the print management table are not stored.
[0029]
The management information files 203, 213, and 223 are created when the file management program 101 a is executed by the control unit 101. The management information file includes file information of data files classified and stored in the folder in which the management information file is stored. For example, regarding the folder 201, the management information file 203 includes file information of data files 205, 207, 209,. For the folder 211, the management information file 213 includes file information of the data files 215, 217, 219,..., And for the folder 221, the management information file 223 includes the file information of the data files 225, 227, 229,. Including. The file information includes data file attribute information and additional information. With this file information, a plurality of files can be virtually combined or not on the file management program.
[0030]
In addition, the print management tables 204, 214, and 224 included in each management target folder 201, 211, and 221 record information related to printing of data files included in the folder. The information related to printing is, for example, a printing form such as mode setting.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the concept of file combination method and grouping.
[0032]
Referring to the figure, it is assumed that files 1- (2), 2- (2), 3, and 4 are virtually combined in that order. This is the same connection as the virtual connection in the prior art. Note that the direction of virtual coupling is indicated by (a).
[0033]
File 1- (2) and files 1- (1) and 1- (3) which are files related to the file are grouped. Further, the file 2- (2) and the files 2- (1), 2- (3), and 2- (4), which are files related to the file 2- (2), are grouped. The direction of grouping is indicated by (b).
[0034]
Here, it is assumed that the files 1- (1) to 1- (3) are document files indicating an invoice for company A, an invoice for company B, and an invoice for company C, respectively. Each of the files 1- (1) to 1- (3) is more convenient to manage as the same group because only a part of the file contents (for example, address) is different. Therefore, the files 1- (1) to 1- (3) are collected as one group.
[0035]
Since the files 1- (1) to 1- (3) are files having different contents (having variations), the files 1- (1) to 1- (3) should be managed in groups. Is called "variation management".
[0036]
Files 2- (1) to 2- (4) are files in which updated files are arranged in order from oldest to newest. Managing file update histories by grouping files 2- (1) to 2- (4) is called "history management".
[0037]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the virtual combined file is displayed on the screen. Referring to the figure, in the display of the virtual combined file, one of the files constituting it is displayed as thumbnail S. In order to view and operate the virtual combined file, and to perform variation management and history management, the user operates the thumbnail or its peripheral display with a mouse or the like.
[0038]
Note that the virtual combined file illustrated in FIG. 5 is a combination of 10 files.
[0039]
The part “A” in FIG. 5 indicates the number of files constituting the virtual combination (here, 10) and the number of the file currently displayed as the thumbnail S (in this example, the second file). ) (Indication of 2/10). The user can arbitrarily switch the file to be displayed as the thumbnail S by clicking the triangle arrow of the “A” part.
[0040]
In the portion “B”, information on how many files are grouped with respect to the file displayed as the thumbnail S (here, four files) and the file currently displayed as the thumbnail S are displayed. Information indicating the number of the file in the group (in this case, the second file) is displayed (indication of 2/4).
[0041]
The “B” portion is not displayed when there is no file grouped with respect to the file displayed as the thumbnail S. The user can sequentially switch the files displayed as thumbnails in the group by clicking the triangle arrow in the part (B).
[0042]
By looking at the display of FIG. 5, the user can know that the virtual combined file is composed of 10 files, and the second file is displayed. In addition, in the second file of the virtual combined file, three other files are grouped, and it can be known that a total of four files are grouped.
[0043]
The portion “C” is displayed when there are files grouped in the file displayed as the thumbnail S. At this time, when the file currently displayed as the thumbnail S constitutes a virtual combined file (in the case of FIG. 4, it is either file 1- (2) or 2- (2)). , “C” is displayed with a white circle, and when it does not constitute a virtual combined file, a black circle is displayed.
[0044]
When the user clicks on the “C” portion, the file displayed as the thumbnail S at that time can be used as a file constituting the virtual combination. That is, instead of the files that have been virtually combined in the group, the files displayed as thumbnails S when “C” is clicked are incorporated into the virtual combined file.
[0045]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the virtual combined file is displayed on the screen. Here, there is one file constituting the virtual combination, and a state in which five files (total of six files) are grouped in the file is shown.
[0046]
In this case, the portion “A” in FIG. 5 is not displayed. By viewing the “B” portion, the user can know that the file is a file in which six files are grouped, and the second file among them is displayed as the thumbnail S.
[0047]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another display example of the virtual combined file. Referring to the figure, the display includes a ring R1 and a ring R2. The ring R1 displays files that constitute a virtual connection. The file to be operated is displayed as a thumbnail in the center (O). Files before and after the file to be operated are displayed on the left and right of the center (O). The ring R2 is displayed when there is a file recorded in a grouped manner in the file displayed in the center, and displays thumbnails of the grouped files.
[0048]
The user can rotate the ring R1 to the left and right by operating the mouse or the like, thereby switching the file in the virtual combination to be displayed at the center. That is, this operation switches the file display in the direction (a) of FIG. 4, and corresponds to the operation of the portion “A” in FIG.
[0049]
In addition, the user can rotate the ring R2 up and down by operating the mouse or the like, thereby switching the files in the group displayed at the center. That is, this operation switches the file display in the direction (b) of FIG. 4, and corresponds to the operation of the portion “B” in FIG.
[0050]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of the management information file (see reference numerals 203, 213, and 223 in FIG. 3). Referring to the figure, in the management information file, a display flag, a combined file, a virtual combined flag, an order in the virtual combined file, Variations, order in history management, and type are recorded.
[0051]
In the example of FIG. DOC, B. XLS, REV1_C. PPT, REV2_C. PPT, REV3_C. Five files of PPT constitute one group, and VAR_A. TXT, VAR_B. TXT, VAR_C. Three files of TXT constitute one group.
[0052]
A file whose “display flag” is “1” is a file displayed on the screen as a thumbnail. The “combined file” is a number for identifying a group of files. In this example, the group of files is distinguished by “1” and “2”.
[0053]
When the “virtual connection flag” is “1”, it indicates that a virtual connection is configured. That is, in this example, A.I. DOC, B. XLS, REV1_C. The three files of PPT constitute the first virtual combination, and VAR_B. TXT constitutes the second virtual combination.
[0054]
The “order in the virtual combination file” is information indicating the order of the virtual combination. “Variation, order in history management” is information indicating the order given to the grouped files. “Type” is information indicating whether a grouped file is subject to history management or variation management.
[0055]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen displayed in the virtual joining process.
As shown in FIG. 9, here, it is assumed that a plurality of files of “task”, “current state”, and “target” are recorded in one folder, and these three files are virtually combined. The names of the files are “issue / doc”, “current status / xls”, and “target / doc”. Further, it is assumed that the user drags and drops the “current” file on the “target” file. At this time, the context menu shown in FIG. 10 is displayed, and the user selects a desired item in the menu.
[0056]
Referring to FIG. 10, the context menu includes “Copy here”, “Move here”, “Create shortcut here”, “Register for variation management”, “Register for history management”, and “Cancel”. The menu is included.
[0057]
When the user selects “copy here” or “move here”, a virtual combined file is created in the order of current state → target. On the other hand, when the user selects “registration for variation management” or “registration for history management”, two files are grouped in the order of current state → target. Here, it is assumed that the user selects “move here” and the virtual combined file is created in the order of current state → target.
[0058]
Further, the user drags and drops the “issue” file onto the created virtual combined file. Here, if the user selects “move here” from the context menu of FIG. 10, a virtual combined file is created in the order of task → current state → target. Also, the user can attach a file name to the virtual combined file, but here, it is assumed that the file name “report” is given.
[0059]
It should be noted that the names of the files constituting the virtual connection, the order of the virtual connection, and the file name of the virtual connection file are recorded in the management information file.
[0060]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process for registering a file in a virtual join or group.
[0061]
Referring to FIG. 11, if the user requests registration of a file to a group or virtual combination by dragging and dropping the file in step S101, processing is performed in step S103 based on the file management method.
[0062]
When a file is registered for variation management, the file is registered (grouped) as a new variation of the file currently displayed in the thumbnail in step S105. The file is displayed on the file management program GUI.
[0063]
If history management is selected, the file is registered (grouped) as a new version (new history) of the file currently displayed in the thumbnail in step S109, and the file is displayed on the GUI of the file management program. To do.
[0064]
If neither management is performed, the file is registered as a file constituting the virtual connection in step S107 and displayed on the file management program GUI.
[0065]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state after the three files in FIG. 9 are virtually combined. Referring to the figure, the contents of the “current” file are shown as thumbnails of the virtual combined file. By clicking on the portion (“A” portion in FIG. 5) displayed at the top of the thumbnail, The user can view the outline of the “task” and “target” files as if turning the page.
[0066]
Here, since there is no grouped file, the portions “B” and “C” in FIG. 5 are not displayed in FIG.
[0067]
The user can select a file displayed as a thumbnail with the mouse, delete it, or remove it from variation management or history management.
[0068]
More specifically, the context menu shown in FIG. 13 is displayed by selecting the file indicated by the thumbnail with the mouse and clicking the right button of the mouse.
[0069]
Referring to FIG. 13, items “Open”, “Print”, “Delete”, and “Remove from management” are displayed in the context menu, and the user can select a desired one.
[0070]
When “Delete” is selected, the file is deleted. When “Remove from management” is selected, the information of the file is deleted from the management information file, and the file name of the file is changed and removed from the management target.
[0071]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing when deleting a file. Referring to the figure, when a target file is selected from the virtual combined file in step S501, and a deletion instruction is issued from the user in step S503, the file to be deleted is managed in the variation management or step S505. It is determined whether the history is managed. If YES, the information on the file to be deleted and the selected file recorded in the management information file in step S507 are deleted from the memory.
[0072]
Note that only the file selected here may be deleted, or all files grouped in relation to the selected file may be deleted.
[0073]
If NO in step S505, the file is deleted in step S509.
[0074]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing when the user selects “Remove from management” on the screen of FIG. 13.
[0075]
Referring to FIG. 15, in step S601, a target file is selected from the virtual combined file, and in step S602, the user selects a file to be excluded from management. If an instruction to remove from management is issued in step S603, the management method of the target file is determined in step S605. If history management has been performed, the management information file is changed in step S607 to remove the file from management. Also, the file name is changed and displayed as one independent file. The file name is changed, for example, by attaching the file name “RevN_” to the head of the original file name. Here, N is a number indicating the version of the file. More specifically, for example, when the original file name is “Sample doc” and it is the third version, the file name of the file excluded from management is changed to “Rev3_Sample doc”.
[0076]
If the management method of the target file is variation management in step S605, the management information file is changed in step S609, and the file is displayed as one independent file.
[0077]
As described above, in the present embodiment, files related to at least a part of files constituting the virtual combined file are managed as a group. The user can arbitrarily select a file constituting the virtual combination from the files in the group.
[0078]
The file management program in the present embodiment can be used for the following purposes.
[0079]
(1) Create a weekly report for the entire group by virtually combining the weekly reports for each person. The history management function allows each person's past weekly report to be stored and viewed.
[0080]
(2) Virtually combine materials created by each person to create one material. With the history management function, you can grasp the progress of the material creation.
[0081]
(3) Prepare several types of cover pages for each destination, etc., collect them in one file using the variation management function, and switch between them for use.
[0082]
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of personal computers 100a and 100b in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a file configuration of a personal computer.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of virtual combination and grouping;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a virtual combined file.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a virtual combined file.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a virtual combined file.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the contents of a management information file.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state of a file before virtual combination.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a context menu displayed when files are virtually combined or grouped.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process when files are virtually combined or grouped.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state of a file after virtual combination.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a context menu for performing file operations.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing file deletion processing;
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing for removing a file from management;
[Explanation of symbols]
100a, 100b Personal computer, 101 control unit, 101a file management program, 101b printer driver, 103 storage unit, 200a-200c printer, 203, 213, 223 management information file.

Claims (7)

On the computer,
A first accepting step for accepting designation of a first file to be virtually combined for managing a plurality of files as one virtual file;
A second accepting step for accepting designation of a second file that is related to the first file included in the target of the virtual combination and that is not the target of the virtual combination;
Information for managing the first file designated as the target of the virtual combination as one virtual combined file, and the first file and the second file related to the first file are grouped Creating a management information file containing information for managing and managing,
A file management program for executing a management step of managing the virtually combined file and the grouped file based on the management information file . The file management program according to claim 1, wherein the management step includes a step of managing the grouped files as a history management target . The file management program according to claim 1 , wherein the management step includes a step of managing the grouped file as a file variation management target . When removing the grouped files, grouped files in connection with the file to be executed by a further said computer the step of deleting the file management program according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A third receiving step of receiving an instruction to select the second file from the grouped files from a user;
And further executing the step of modifying the contents of the management information file so that the second file selected in the third receiving step is included in the virtual combined file instead of the first file. let, the file management program according to any of claims 1 to 4.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the file management program according to claim 1 is recorded. A first receiving step in which a computer receives a designation of a first file to be virtually combined for managing a plurality of files as a single virtual file;
A second reception step in which the computer receives a designation of a second file that is related to the first file included in the target of the virtual combination and that is not the target of the virtual combination;
Information for the computer to manage the first file that is the target of the virtual combination as one virtual combined file, the first file, and the second file related to the first file, Creating a management information file including information for grouping and managing
A file management method, comprising: a management step in which the computer manages the virtually combined file and the grouped file based on the management information file .

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